Late inning homer dooms Fresno in 5-2 loss to Sacramento

A three-run shot in the top of the ninth was the difference as the Sacramento River Cats (14-15) defeated the Fresno Grizzlies (19-11) 5-2 Saturday night from Chukchansi Park. With the loss, Fresno drops to 10-4 at home on the year and 35-15 versus Sacramento since 2015. Both starters took no-decisions in the game. River Cats' Tyler Beede threw into the sixth, allowing six hits, two runs (earned), walking one and striking out six. Grizzlies' David Paulino hurled five innings, scattering three hits, one run (earned), walking one and fanning six.
Sacramento drew first blood in the top of the fifth when Kyle Jensen destroyed a pitch to right. His third homer of the season made it 1-0.
Fresno regained the lead 2-1 in the home half of the sixth. After a single and stolen base by Kyle Tucker, AJ Reed rewarded him with a run when he spanked a single to right. Reed scored a batter later when J.D. Davis (2-for-4) ripped a double off the wall in center.
The River Cats knotted the game at two in the next half inning after a RBI groundout by Ronnie Freeman.
Sacramento finally broke the tie in the top of the ninth when Orlando Calixte drilled a three-run moonshot to left. His fourth big fly was enough for Jose Valdez to close out the game. Valdez (1-2) earned the win, throwing one and two thirds scoreless innings, punching out four. Brendan McCurry (0-2) suffered the loss after allowing the go-ahead bomb in the ninth.
Tony Kemp extended his hit streak to 12 games (team-high) and was caught stealing for the first time this season in 13 attempts. Grizzlies' pitching struck out 14 in the defeat.
Game three of the four-game set will be played Sunday afternoon from Chukchansi Park. Fresno RHP Trent Thornton (2-1, 3.63) and Sacramento LHP Matt Gage (1-0, 0.00) are the probable starters. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 PT.